Contents
Empaths are people naturally attuned to the feelings and emotions of others. Being an empath is a great asset. Empaths truly are genuine, sincere people. They relate and connect to the people around them in ways that others simply cannot.
But being an empath can also be exhausting and emotionally draining. Because empaths so readily feel the feelings around them, they often find themselves overwhelmed with emotion. Given their high sensitivity to emotions, they are often referred to as “Highly-Sensitive People.”
If you are reading this and you are an empath, the first thing you need to know is that there is nothing wrong with you. Being an empath really is an incredible asset.
Empaths have often been labeled as ‘overly sensitive’ and told to ‘get a thicker skin.’ As children and adults, we are shamed for our sensitivities rather than supported… But at this point in my life, I wouldn’t give up being an empath for anything. It lets me sense the secrets of the universe and know passion beyond my wildest dreams.
— Judith Orloff, An Empath’s Survival Guide
It is truly a travesty that people with potential to do so much can be made to feel as if they are worth so little. Thankfully, there is a vast and ever-growing library of books about empaths, both fiction and nonfiction.
Now empaths, too, have a place where they can see themselves through the experiences of others. Here are the very best books about empaths:
The Empath’s Survival Guide
by Judith Orloff, M.D.
It’s hard to have a conversation about empaths without talking about Dr. Judith Orloff. Dr. Orloff sits on the psychiatric clinical staff at UCLA and is considered by many to be the foremost speaker about and advocate for empaths. She has published over 5 books on the topic, but The Empath’s Survival Guide is by far her most important work. In a sense, it’s really more a tool than a book. The Survival Guide provides a framework to help you understand your empath nature. Then, it breaks down concrete tactics for approaching the world in a way that preserves your energy. This is an essential book for and about empaths. It’s also an instruction manual for anyone who thinks they might be an empath and is looking to begin their journey of self discovery. If you are an empath or you think you might be, this is the book to help you find out.
Judy Dyer is another renowned thinker on the topic of living as an empath. An empath herself, Dyer provides practical tips and and tested tactics for how to live a fuller, more balanced life as an empath. Clocking in at just 94 pages, it’s a concise book that can be digested quickly. Despite its brevity, it is jam-packed with novel strategies for living a happy and successful life as an empath. It digs right into the practicalities of behaviors and habits that empaths can begin to build right now to start reclaiming control over their lives. It is kind of primer on empaths best suited for those just beginning to learn about this aspect of their personalities.
The Highly Sensitive Person
by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D.
Like Judith Orloff, Elaine Aron is another researcher who has dedicated her career to this emerging and important category of people. Dr. Aron is a research and clinical psychologist and she has been publishing works on so-called Highly Sensitive People for more than 25 years. In The Highly Sensitive Person, she studies high sensitivity as a personality trait among animals and explains how in humans, it too is a survival strategy.
Elaine Aron has not only validated and scientifically corroborated high sensitivity as a trait—she has given a level of empowerment and understanding to a large group of the planet’s population. I thank Dr. Aron every day for her having brought this awareness to the world.”
— Alanis Morissette
Empaths can be either introverted or extroverted, but by and large, they tend to be introverts. While this book is for introverts primarily, there’s a lot that empaths can learn about the power they have in that introverted part of themselves. In Quiet, Cain presents a well-researched overview of the massive impact that introverted people have had on society, and why our cultural veneration of extroverted personality types is actually holding us back as a civilization. Susan Cain is an author and lecturer, who following the success of Quiet, co-founded Quiet Revolution, a company that invests in programs aimed at promoting broader cultural acceptance of introverts. If you’re an introverted empath looking for solidarity, this is a must-read.
Conclusion
Empaths have an amazing ability to connect with people on a level much deeper than the average person. But all too often, empaths are made to feel bad about their incredible natural talent. If you’re an empath or you have someone in your life who is, we hope these books can help show you just how unique and special your gift of being an empath really is.
For the empaths reading this, what do you think about these choices? Are there any we missed? Let us know in the comments below!
